ICA Advocates for Strata Law Reforms to Mitigate Rising Insurance Costs in Victoria

Addressing Poor Governance and Maintenance to Reduce Premiums

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

In a submission to the Expert Panel Review of the Owners Corporations Act 2006, the ICA emphasised that building defects are costing Australians an estimated $1.3 billion annually, with many strata buildings facing challenges in securing affordable insurance due to structural issues and inadequate risk management.

The ICA's recommendations include lowering the unanimous agreement threshold for strata complex sales to enable faster renewal of ageing, uneconomic buildings that pose insurance risks. Additionally, the council advocates for full disclosure of all payments to strata managers that may influence insurance product selection and a thorough market impact assessment before considering a ban on commissions to avoid unintended premium increases.

These proposed reforms aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and risk management within the strata sector, ultimately improving the affordability and availability of insurance for property owners.

Published:Thursday, 5th Mar 2026
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

CHU Unveils Enhanced Residential Strata Insurance Policy

05 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

CHU, Australia's leading strata insurance underwriting agency, has launched a new residential strata insurance policy designed to better support property owners and strata communities. This initiative reflects CHU's commitment to delivering customer-focused solutions that simplify insurance processes and enhance community resilience. - read more

ICA Advocates for Strata Law Reforms to Mitigate Rising Insurance Costs in Victoria

05 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has called for significant reforms to Victoria's strata legislation, highlighting that poor governance and deferred maintenance are leading to increased insurance premiums for the one in five Victorians residing in strata-titled properties. In a submission to the Expert Panel Review of the Owners Corporations Act 2006, the ICA emphasised that building defects are costing Australians an estimated $1. - read more

Netstrata's Insurance Practices Raise Concerns Over Excessive Fees

05 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent developments have brought to light concerns regarding the insurance practices of Netstrata, a prominent strata management firm in Australia. Clients have reported the sudden appearance of past insurance invoices in their online portals, revealing brokerage fees significantly higher than industry norms. - read more

NSW Enforces Stricter Strata Maintenance Laws

25 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

New South Wales has introduced a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the maintenance and repair obligations of strata properties, enhancing the safety and integrity of these communities. Effective from November 2025, these changes grant NSW Fair Trading the authority to issue compliance notices and enter enforceable undertakings with owners' corporations that fail to meet their maintenance responsibilities. - read more

Click for more Insurance News

Strata Insurance Articles

Understanding the Layers of Strata Insurance

Strata insurance, also known as body corporate insurance, is a form of cover specifically designed for properties that share ownership or have multiple units. It typically covers the building and common areas, along with liability protection. This includes areas such as the roof, stairwells, lifts, driveways, and shared spaces in residential complexes, units, or apartments. - read more

How to Make a Claim on Your Strata Insurance: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to strata insurance, making a claim can feel daunting if you're not familiar with the process. A vital first step is understanding what constitutes a claimable event. Typically, these are events that lead to damage or loss in the common areas of a property, such as fire, storm damage, or vandalism. However, each policy can vary, so it’s important to check the specifics of what your coverage includes. - read more

The Importance of Updating Your Strata Insurance Policy

Strata insurance is a specific type of insurance designed to cover shared property and common areas within a strata-titled property. This includes coverage for dwelling structures, common hallways, roofs, and sometimes even shared swimming pools or gardens. - read more

Understanding State-by-State Insurance Requirements for Strata Schemes in Australia

Strata schemes are a popular form of property ownership in Australia, particularly in cities where high-density living is common. A strata scheme is essentially a building or collection of buildings that allows for individual ownership of a part of the property, combined with shared ownership of common areas. Residents coexist in a community and collectively manage shared spaces such as gardens, driveways, or facilities. - read more

Knowledgebase

Grace Period:
A set amount of time after the premium is due during which a policyholder can make a payment without the insurance coverage lapsing.

This website is owned and operated by Clark Family Pty Ltd (ACN 010 281 008) as Trustee for the Clark Family Trust (ABN 35 957 893 714), 43 Larch Street Tallebudgera QLD 4228. Clark Family Pty Ltd is an Authorised Representative (AR 1298860) of Unique Group Broker Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 509434) for financial product referrals and an Authorised Credit Representative (ACR 401491) of Saccasan Pty Ltd (ACL 386297). Check our licensing details on the ASIC registers: Clark Family Pty Ltd ACR, Clark Family Pty Ltd AR, Saccasan Pty Ltd, Unique Group Broker Services.

IMPORTANT: We do not provide financial product advice or credit assistance. We act solely as an introducer and refer enquiries to licensed third-party intermediaries, insurers, and lenders - with whom you can then deal directly. We may receive a fee or commission from these third parties in consideration for the referral. Before any action is taken to obtain a product or service referred to by this website, advice should be obtained (from either the third party to whom we refer you or from another qualified intermediary) as to the appropriateness of obtaining those products having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Whilst we have our own process for validating the legitimacy of our referral partners, you should always verify the credentials of your financial adviser before proceeding with recommendations that they may present. Visit the ASIC website for further information.